Bhubaneswar: Soon after a minor tribal girl was found pregnant at a girls' school hostel run by Odisha Government in Bhubaneswar, SC/ST Welfare Minister Jagannath Saraka has ordered a probe into the matter.

“Strict action would be taken against the guilty," he said.

The matter came to the fore when health check-up of the students was being carried out under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) after their return to the hostels from summer vacation. Preliminary reports suggested that four schoolgirls were pregnant but after a test at Capital Hospital, one pregnancy was confirmed.

Parshuram Maharana, Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee said, “A complaint has been lodged and Bhubaneswar DCP has taken up the issue. Childline, District Child Protection Unit and District Welfare Officer have been called for a joint investigation into the matter. As per our instruction, a Government team was also deputed to find out more details. The entire truth will come out only after thorough investigation.”